The Post Office

The Post Office is a mid-17th century building located in Lower Ashton, with some alterations made in the 20th century. It is constructed from colourwashed rendered stone rubble and cob, topped with a thatched roof that is hipped at both ends. The building has an L-shaped plan with an acute angle at the corner. The main block, which serves as the Post Office, is single depth and currently consists of one room wide, although it was likely originally two rooms wide, with a heated room on the right side where the fireplace is now concealed. A rear left wing, angled to the main range, faces the lane to Doddiscombsleigh and has been extended by a single-storey block with a slate roof and an end stack.

The exterior features two storeys with an asymmetrical two-window front. The eaves of the thatched roof are eyebrowed over two first-floor 20th-century timber casements with glazing bars. The front door, also from the 20th century, is sheltered by a thatched porch canopy and is flanked by two 20th-century timber bow windows with glazing bars. The thatch extends down as a catslide to the outshut at the right end of the building. On the left side, there are steps leading up to a 20th-century door, with three first-floor 20th-century timber casements with glazing bars and similar ground floor windows, except for one which is a 20th-century timber sash.

The interior has not been fully inspected, but it is noted that the main range has two chamfered stopped crossbeams and is said to contain a large open fireplace at the right end, which is currently concealed by shelving. The wing also features exposed crossbeams. Although the roof was not inspected during the survey in 1986, the timbers are reported to be of small scantling. The Post Office holds an important position in Lower Ashton and is part of a group with Forge Cottage and Blatchford.